One of the most common reactions to someone misbehaving in public is to haul him up, abuse him and publicly shame him.
This was precisely what was done when a man was caught peeing inside a Delhi compartment on Saturday. We expected the hate, the anger and the general scorn.
But the responses we actually received to the story got us thinking – perhaps there’s more to it than meets the eye.
(Click on the link below to read the comments.)
While several readers shared accounts of offensive behaviour that they had encountered in public, a few even suggested productive solutions – like having toilets inside Metros:
Once a boy was standing next to me, he spat on the wall of the metro ..when i stopped him and asked him not to do so..he replied rudely “tere baap ki train h..” i told him politely “nahi bhai hai to tere baap ki hi magar apne baap ki gadi me koi thookta hai kya??? He didn’t reply anything and got off at the next station.
– Afzal Hussain
He should be encouraged to pee on the third track. May be a bit of electrocution can help clean the scum of India.
– Cross De Lena
Heavy fines should be imposed and pictures of offenders should be displayed all over.
– Fadte Daya
Metro coaches should have toilets.
– Ss Gopalarathnam
Swachch Bharat Mission...ek kadam swacchta ki aur.
– Nikit Sharma
Sadly u’ll find numerous people like him...They all lack sense of belongingness n r highly insensitive and have NO conscious. Wonder how filthy their houses would be!
– سبینا
The debate over whether this man was ill-behaved, ignorant or a victim, may rage on. But this incident has brought forward some key questions:
– Shouldn’t the metros have washrooms inside the compartment?
– If this incident was recorded, why didn’t the Delhi Metro officials take any step?
– If the metro is always under CCTV surveillance, why wasn’t the man hauled up at the very next station?
We’re not quibbling here – of course, the man is guilty. But aren’t we missing out on some other important issues?
Tell us what you think in the comments section below.